Starbucks Sued Again for Alleged Theft of Lip Balm Concept

Starbucks Sued Again for Alleged Theft: Balmuccino, a company that develops coffee-flavored cosmetics, has filed a third lawsuit against Starbucks. The company claims that Starbucks stole its idea for coffee-flavored lipstick and lip gloss. The new complaint was submitted on Friday in a federal court in Manhattan. This filing follows a Seattle federal judge's decision in July 2023 to dismiss an earlier version of the lawsuit on procedural grounds.

Background of the Case

Balmuccino, based in Los Angeles, began working on coffee-flavored lip balms in 2016. The company presented its prototypes and confidential information to Starbucks during a meeting at Starbucks' New York office in October 2018. Dr. Mehmet Oz arranged this meeting by reaching out to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to discuss a possible partnership.

Allegations and Claims

Balmuccino alleges that Starbucks "stole" its lip balm concept after Starbucks launched its "S'mores Frappuccino Sip Kit" in April 2019. The kits featured lipstick and gloss in four flavors: Campfire Spark, Chocolicious Bliss, Graham Glam, and Marshmallow Glow. Balmuccino alleges that Starbucks did not pay them for the idea and is pursuing damages.

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Legal Proceedings

Balmuccino contends that its lawsuit remains valid because New York law permits certain cases to continue even if initially filed in the wrong court. The company had previously initiated legal action against Starbucks in Los Angeles in October 2019. The current case, Balmuccino LLC v. Starbucks Corp, is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 24-06214.